The reading of the July Minutes by Secretary, Dot Fitzpatrick, was followed by the correspondence which included information that entertainment had been organised for our Birthday luncheon on October 16. All members wishing to attend the birthday luncheon are asked to bring $30 in an envelope marked with your name to this September meeting.  

The Treasurer’s Report for the month of July was presented by Treasurer, Brian McDonald. Ron Huckle won the draw for birthday of the month, after Social Secretary Rosalie White read Birthdays and Wedding anniversaries.

Tourist Officer Nola Nobes announced that money was now due for the 5 day trip to Tamworth leaving on Tuesday, 19th September at a cost of $980 which includes a fantastic ticket to the Russian Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker Suite” as well as lots of sightseeing around Tamworth and surrounding towns.

A trip to Narrandera Open Gardens has been organised for Sunday,  October 22, departing Loaders Depot at 7 am, costing $82 pp, which includes Devonshire morning tea, garden entries and lunch. Non-members are welcome and all interested are invited to please ring Nola Nobes 63431036.

Nola also mentioned plans for a trip to Ettalong during the first week in April in 2018 and Brian McDonald announced that Cowra Men’s Probus Club have vacancies for a trip to Lake Jindabyne on November 26 costing $800.

Joan McDonald reported that 44 members enjoyed the Mystery trip on July 19, visiting the Airport, the POW Camp site and the Recycling Depot, all at Cowra with lunch at the Golf Club and then a visit to some Bio- Diversity Farms and a Winery.  Beverley Kelly reported that 8 Probians had attended the Lion’s Changeover Dinner on July 29 at the Country Club, with the interesting comment that the Lions had raised the amazing amount of $29,388.

After morning tea our Speech Contest Co-ordinator Jan Holland introduced our Annual Probus Speaking Contest for The Henry Lawson High School students, with 15 participants - 8 in the Junior Section and 7 in the Senior Section who all displayed knowledge and excellent preparation with a wide variety of topics.   

Junior participants were Olivia Berry – “Resilience”, MacKenzie Brenner – “The Importance of Bees and why they are dying”, Anna Hunt –“Racism in History”, Isabel Pereira – “Shark Nets”, Terri Dodaro – “Homelessness”, Acacia Huxtable – “Gay Marriages”, Kyrstye Henry – “Social Media – Good or Bad” and Breanna Daley- “Everyone Should Know How to Cook”,

Senior participants were Paige Hughes – “Media Manipulation”, Sarah Knight – “Living Life”, Jessica Pereira – “Capital Punishment”, Ziyin Xia – “Why books are better than Movies”, Kate Robinson - “Need for more funding in STEM from non-Government Agencies”, Yongyan Xia – “The two things you cannot give up” and Shannon Best – “Learning from each other differently”.

The judges, Oriel Draffin and Stephen Griffin, saying it had been a very close contest and congratulating all contestants, then announced the winners–Ziyin Xia First, and Shannon Best Second in the Senior Section with Anna Hunt, First, and Acacia Huxtable, Second in the Junior Section. Janice thanked all those involved, especially Pam Holland for time keeping and, then presented gifts of appreciation to the two judges and to the School organisers.

Our next meeting will be held on Monday,  September 18, with Glenys O’Connor and Desiree Bottelier on the Door Roster and Robyn Logan, Judy Mitton, Margaret Thorncraft and Norma McCann on the Morning Tea Roster.

Probus meets monthly and visitors are welcome at the Bowling Club at 10 a.m. For enquiries, please phone President Les Schaefer on 0263431274.